Inga Saknite

Multi-spectral mapping of in-vivo skin hemoglobin and melanin

The multi-spectral imaging technique has been used for distant mapping of in-vivo skin chromophores by analyzing spectral data at each reflected image pixel and constructing 2-D maps of the relative concentrations of oxy-/deoxyhemoglobin and melanin. Instead of using a broad visible-NIR spectral range, this study focuses on narrowed spectral band 500-700 nm, so speeding-up the signal processing procedure. Regression analysis confirmed that superposition of three Gaussians is optimal analytic approximation for the oxy-hemoglobin absorption tabular spectrum in this spectral band, while superposition of two Gaussians fits well for deoxy-hemoglobin absorption and exponential function - for melanin absorption. The proposed approach was clinically tested for three types of in-vivo skin provocations - ultraviolet irradiance, chemical reaction with vinegar essence and finger arterial occlusion. Spectral range 500-700 nm provided better sensitivity to oxy-hemoglobin changes and higher response stability to melanin than two reduced ranges 500-600 nm and 530-620 nm.

Mobile phone based laser speckle contrast imager for assessment of skin blood flow

Assessment of skin blood flow is of interest for evaluation of skin viability as well as for reflection of the overall condition of the circulatory system. Laser Doppler perfusion imaging (LDPI) and laser speckle contrast imaging (LASCI) are optical techniques used for assessment of skin perfusion. However, these systems are still too expensive and bulky to be widely available. Implementation of such techniques as connection kits for mobile phones have a potential for primary diagnostics. In this work we demonstrate simple and low cost LASCI connection kit for mobile phone and its comparison to laser Doppler perfusion imager. Post-occlusive hyperemia and local thermal hyperemia tests are used to compare both techniques and to demonstrate the potential of LASCI device.

Comparison of single-spot technique and RGB imaging for erythema index estimation.

A commercially available point measurement device, the Mexameter(®), and an experimental RGB imaging prototype device were used for erythema index estimation of 50 rosacea patients by analysing the level of skin redness on the forehead, both cheeks and both sides of a nose. Results are compared with Clinicians Erythema Assessment (CEA) values given by two dermatologists. The Mexameter uses 568 nm and 660 nm LEDs and a photodetector for estimation of erythema index, while the used prototype device acquired RGB images at 460 nm, 530 nm and 665 nm LED illumination. Several erythema index estimation algorithms were compared to determine which one gives the best contrast between increased erythema and normal skin. The erythema index estimations and CEA values correlated much better for the RGB imaging data than for those obtained by the conventional Mexameter technique that is widely used by dermatologists and in clinical trials. In result, we propose an erythema index estimation approach that represents increased erythema with higher accuracy than other available methods.

Diffuse reflectance and fluorescence multispectral imaging system for assessment of skin

The diffuse reflectance multispectral imaging technique has been used for distant mapping of in vivo skin chromophores (hemoglobin and melanin). The fluorescence multispectral imaging is not so common for skin applications due to complicity of data acquisition and processing, but could provide additional information about skin fluorophores. Both techniques are compatible, and could be combined into a multimodal solution. The multispectral imaging system Nuance based on liquid crystal tunable filters was adapted for diffuse reflectance and fluorescence spectral imaging of in vivo skin. Uniform illumination was achieved by LED ring light. Combination of four LEDs (warm white, 770 nm, 830 nm and 890 nm) was used to support diffuse reflectance mode in spectral range 450-950 nm. 405 nm LEDs were used for excitation of skin autofluorescence. Multispectral imaging system was adapted for spectral working range of 450-950 nm with scanning step of 10 nm and spectral resolution of 15 nm. An average field of view was 50x35 mm in size with spatial resolution 0,05 mm (the pixel size). Due to spectrally different illumination intensity and system sensitivity, various exposure times (from 7…500 ms) were used for each image acquisition. The proposed approach was tested for different skin lesions: benign nevus, hemangioma, basalioma and halo nevus. Spectral image cubes of different skin lesions were acquired and analyzed to test its diagnostic potential.

Determination of chromophore distribution in skin by spectral imaging

Possibilities to determine chromophore distribution in skin by spectral imaging were explored. Simple RGB sensor devices were used for image acquisition. Totally 200 images of 40 different bruises of 20 people were obtained in order to map chromophores bilirubin and haemoglobin. Possibilities to detect water in vitro and in vivo were estimated by using silicon photodetectors and narrow band LEDs. The results show that it is possible to obtain bilirubin and haemoglobin distribution maps and observe changes of chromophore parameter values over time by using a simple RGB imaging device. Water in vitro was detected by using differences in absorption at 450 nm and 950 nm, and 650 nm and 950 nm.

Distant Determination of Bilirubin Distribution in Skin by Multi-Spectral Imaging

Distant Determination of Bilirubin Distribution in Skin by Multi-Spectral Imaging For mapping the bilirubin distribution in bruised skin the multi-spectral imaging technique was employed, which made it possible to observe temporal changes of the bilirubin content in skin photo-types II and III. The obtained results confirm the clinical potential of this technique for skin bilirubin diagnostics. Bilirubīna Sadalījuma Noteikšana Ādā ar Multispektrālās Attēlošanas Metodi Darba mērķis bija izveidot iespējami vienkāršu metodi ādas hromoforas bilirubīna in vivo kartēšanai no attāluma. Ar neinvazīvu optisko metodi - multi-spektrālo attēlošanu - tika novērota 20 zilumu attīstība laikā, kopā uzņemot 51 attēlu masīvu. Gaismas mijiedarbības ar ādu aprakstam tika izmantota difūzi atstarotās gaismas teorija, un ar Nuance 2.4 multispektrālās attēlošanas sistēmu komplektā ar datoru tika iegūtas ādas attēlu optiskā blīvuma (OD) vērtības, kas iegūtas kā sākotnējā starojuma intensitātes un no ādas virsmas atpakaļ atstarotās gaismas intensitātes attiecība. Izmantojot Bēra-Lamberta likumu, OD spektrs tika izteikts kā četru ādā esošu hromoforu - oksihemoglobīna, deoksihemoglobīna, melanīna un bilirubīna - atsevišķo spektru superpozīcija. Ar mazāko kvadrātu metodi programmā Matlab tika aprēķinātas relatīvās bilirubīna koncentrācijas vērtības, iegūstot koncentrāciju sadalījuma kartes. Pierādīts, ka ar multispektrālo attēlošanu iespējams neinvazīvi veikt ādas hromoforas bilirubīna kartēšanu un novērot bilirubīna koncentrācijas izmaiņas laikā. Pirmajās dienās pēc ziluma iegūšanas bilirubīna koncentrācija laikā pieaug, kas atbilst literatūrā pieejam.

Rosacea assessment by erythema index and principal component analysis segmentation maps

RGB images of rosacea were analyzed using segmentation maps of principal component analysis (PCA) and erythema index (EI). Areas of segmented clusters were compared to Clinician’s Erythema Assessment (CEA) values given by two dermatologists. The results show that visible blood vessels are segmented more precisely on maps of the erythema index and the third principal component (PC3). In many cases, a distribution of clusters on EI and PC3 maps are very similar. Mean values of clusters’ areas on these maps show a decrease of the area of blood vessels and erythema and an increase of lighter skin area after the therapy for the patients with diagnosis CEA = 2 on the first visit and CEA=1 on the second visit. This study shows that EI and PC3 maps are more useful than the maps of the first (PC1) and second (PC2) principal components for indicating vascular structures and erythema on the skin of rosacea patients and therapy monitoring.

Novel hybrid technology for early diagnostics of sepsis

Sepsis is a potentially fatal disease with mortality rate as high as 50% in patients with septic shock; mortality rate can increase by 7.6% per hour if appropriate treatment is not started. Internationally accepted guidelines for diagnosis of sepsis rely on vital sign monitoring and laboratory tests in order to recognize organ failure. This pilot study aims to explore the potential of hyperspectral and thermal imaging techniques to identify and quantify early alterations in skin oxygenation and perfusion induced by sepsis. The study comprises both physiological model experiments on healthy volunteers in a laboratory environment, as well as screening case series of patients with septic shock in the intensive care department. Hyperspectral imaging is used to determine one of the main characteristic visual signs of skin oxygenation abnormalities - skin mottling, whereas changes in peripheral perfusion have been visualized by thermal imaging as heterogeneous skin temperature areas. In order to mimic septic skin mottling in a reproducible way in laboratory environment, arterial occlusion provocation test was utilized on healthy volunteers. Visualization of oxygen saturation by hyperspectral imaging allows diagnosing microcirculatory alterations induced by sepsis earlier than visual assessment of mottling. Thermal images of sepsis patients in the clinic clearly reveal hotspots produced by perforating arteries, as well as cold regions of low blood supply. The results of this pilot study show that thermal imaging in combination with hyperspectral imaging allows the determination of oxygen supply and utilization in critically ill septic patients.

Determination of in vivo skin moisture level by near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy

Near-infrared spectroscopy has a potential for noninvasive determination of skin moisture level due to high water absorption. In this study, diffuse reflectance spectra of in vivo skin were acquired in the spectral range of 900 nm to 1700 nm by using near-infrared spectrometer, optical fiber and halogen bulb light source. Absorption changes after applying skin moisturizers were analyzed over time at different body sites. Results show difference in absorption when comparing dry and normal skin. Comparison of absorption changes over time after applying moisturizer at different body sites is analyzed and discussed. Some patterns of how skin reacts to different skin moisturizers are shown, although no clear pattern can be seen due to signal noise.

Implementation of laser speckle contrast analysis as connection kit for mobile phone for assessment of skin blood flow

Laser speckle contrast analysis (LASCA) offers a non-contact, full-field, and real-time mapping of capillary blood flow and can be considered as an alternative method to Laser Doppler perfusion imaging. LASCA technique has been implemented in several commercial instruments. However, these systems are still too expensive and bulky to be widely available. Several optical techniques have found new implementations as connection kits for mobile phones thus offering low cost screening devices. In this work we demonstrate simple implementation of LASCA imaging technique as connection kit for mobile phone for primary low-cost assessment of skin blood flow. Stabilized 650 nm and 532 nm laser diode modules were used for LASCA illumination. Dual wavelength illumination could provide additional information about skin hemoglobin and oxygenation level. The proposed approach was tested for arterial occlusion and heat test. Besides, blood flow maps of injured and provoked skin were demonstrated.